Astros relief pitcher Paul Clemens (56) sits on the fence between the seats and the warning track before the start of batting practice.

Astros relief pitcher Paul Clemens (56) sits on the fence between the seats and the warning track before the start of batting practice.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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First pitch: Astros draw inspiration from Rivera, Pettitte

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A day after former Astros lefthander Andy Pettitte received a loud ovation from his hometown crowd after throwing a complete game 2-1 victory for the Yankees, the Astros players were still in awe.

“That was my highlight of the season,” said Astros lefthander Brett Oberholtzer. “It was great. I’m glad I was here to see that.”

The Astros will honor all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera during a pregame ceremony today before the season finale at Minute Maid Park.

“Whenever you get to the end of the season you start to reflect, and I don’t think I will really reflect entirely until I take a couple of steps back and really start to look at the full season,” manager Bo Porter said. “But I think today has a little more special implications because of what’s taken place on the other side of the field with Mariano Rivera and us paying tribute to him and everything he’s meant to Major League Baseball.

“I was actually blessed enough to run into him on the way coming in. He and I stopped to have a couple of words. I just told him that from just a baseball lifer myself how much I appreciate what it is he’s done in the game and the way he’s gone about doing it. It’s a class act. Anybody who’s looking to be in this game a long time, you don’t have to look too far to figure out how you should do it.”

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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Mariano Rivera's famed career came to a close after the Yankees' three-game series sweep of the Astros to end the 2013 season. As the best closer of all-time's amazing run comes to the end of the road - we take a look back and see some of the (untouchable?) numbers he has accumulated. less

Mariano Rivera's famed career came to a close after the Yankees' three-game series sweep of the Astros to end the 2013 season. As the best closer of all-time's amazing run comes to the end of the road - we ... more

Photo: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

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1,115 appearances - 4th most in MLB history

1,115 appearances - 4th most in MLB history

Photo: Bill Kostroun / Associated Press

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1,115 games pitched with the Yankees - Most career games pitched with single team in MLB history

1,115 games pitched with the Yankees - Most career games pitched with single team in MLB history

Photo: Todd Warshaw / Getty Images

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952 games finished - most in MLB history

952 games finished - most in MLB history

Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images

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652 saves - most in MLB history

652 saves - most in MLB history

Photo: Nick Laham / Getty Images

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230 saves in original Yankee Stadium - most at one ballpark in MLB history

230 saves in original Yankee Stadium - most at one ballpark in MLB history

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

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72 saves for Andy Pettitte wins - Most career saves for a single winning pitcher in MLB history

72 saves for Andy Pettitte wins - Most career saves for a single winning pitcher in MLB history

Photo: Kathy Willens / Associated Press

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1.00 WHIP - 3rd best in MLB history

1.00 WHIP - 3rd best in MLB history

Photo: Hannah Foslien / Getty Images

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2.21 career ERA - 13th best in MLB history

2.21 career ERA - 13th best in MLB history

Photo: Michael Zagaris / Getty Images

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96 postseason appearances - most in MLB history

96 postseason appearances - most in MLB history

Photo: Chris McGrath / Getty Images

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0.70 postseeason ERA (min. 30 IP) - best in MLB history

0.70 postseeason ERA (min. 30 IP) - best in MLB history

Photo: Rob Tringali/Sportschrome / Getty Images

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33 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in postseason - Most in MLB postseason history

33 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings in postseason - Most in MLB postseason history